Display package and shipping system

ABSTRACT

A display package for merchandising an article of commerce. The display package has a first portion with at least one first outside wall with at least one first engagement element, and a first interface region, and a second portion with at least one second outside wall with at least one second engagement element, and a second interface region. The first and second portions of the display package fit together along their first and second interface regions to form a space between the first portion and the second portion. The at least one first engagement element of one display package is adapted to engage with the at least one second engagement element of another display package when a plurality of display packages are placed with the first outside wall of one display package next to the second outside wall of another display package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display package for displayingmerchandise in a commercial setting, and to a system for interconnectinga plurality of packages together for making the packages suitable forshipment from manufacturer to retailer and equally suited for immediatedisplay on pallets and the like in the same configuration. The inventionalso relates to a system for shipping and displaying products that arepackaged in display packages according to the present invention in ablister pack or clamshell package form.

Many products are sold in blister packages or clamshell packages. Inblister packages, the article is placed on a piece of cardboard and thencovered by a plastic bubble that is sized to retain and reveal the itemattached to the cardboard. Some blister packages use a plastic backrather than cardboard. Clamshell packages are similar to blisterpackages but instead of having a plastic bubble affixed to a cardboardor other backing, clamshell packages have two portions that are designedto hold the merchandise, literature, etc. within a cavity or cavitiestherein. The clamshell packages can be formed into a single unit with ahinge, or they can have two separate halves which are attached together,such as by heat welding, staples, RF sealing, UV sealing, etc.Typically, groups of blister packages and clamshell packages are shippedto the point of sale in corrugated trays that are in turn placed inlarger shipping containers or on pallets. When received at retailoutlets, the blister packages or clamshells packages are removed fromthe shipping configuration and displayed for sale in their trays andpallets or on shelves, counters, tables, racks and hanging brackets.

Many retail stores are now selling articles directly from their shippingcontainers or pallets. This permits retailers to reduce their laborcosts because they no longer need to remove the products from theshipping container, and then place them on display racks. A preferredpractice is to simply cut away a portion of the shipping container,leaving the product to be displayed in the remaining portion of theshipping container. Preferably, a sufficient part of the shippingcontainer is cut away so that the products can easily be seen by thepassing customer.

However, because of their shape and the location of their center ofgravity, most blister packages and clamshell packages have a tendency tofall over when placed in an upright position. Consequently, in order forblister packages to be displayed in a shipping container or on a pallet,it is desirable to provide some form of support structure, to hold theblister packages in an upright display position. A number of systemshave been utilized, most of which require some form of plastic orcorrugated tray into which display packages are placed in one or morerows. The tray has slots into which the opposite edges of the blisterpack or clamshell pack are fitted. It would be desirable to have displaypackages and a system that does not rely on such trays. A displaypackage which is sufficiently stabilized to stand alone on one of itssides is also desirable.

Moreover, while it is desirable that the interconnection betweenadjacent displayed packages be maintained during shipping and storedisplay, it is important for a purchaser to be able to easily remove adesired number of display packages from the group of interconnecteddisplay packages without disrupting the group of interconnected displaypackages remaining at the display location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display package for merchandisingarticles which comprises a package having a front portion and a rearportion. The front and rear portions fit together to define a spacetherein for holding the merchandised articles. In a preferred form, thefront portion has a surface with a plurality of protrusions locatedthereon and the rear portion has a surface with a plurality of recessesformed thereon, or vice versa. When two or more display packages areplaced adjacent to each other, the protrusions on the front portion ofone display package will align with and fit into the recesses on theback portion of an adjacent display package to hold the display packagestogether. The display packages can also have stabilizing feet formedthereon to further stabilize the display packages to help prevent themfrom tipping over, either individually or when grouped together.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a displaypackage for merchandising an article of commerce comprising:

-   -   a first portion of the display package having at least one first        outside wall with at least one first engagement element, and a        first interface region;    -   a second portion of the display package having at least one        second outside wall with at least one second engagement element,        and a second interface region, the first portion of the display        package and the second portion of the display package fitting        together along their first and second interface regions to form        a space between the first portion and the second portion,        wherein the at least one first engagement element of one display        package is adapted to engage with the at least one second        engagement element of another display package when a plurality        of display packages are placed with the first outside wall of        one display package next to the second outside wall of another        display package.

In another embodiment, there is provided a display package formerchandising an article of commerce comprising:

-   -   a first portion of the display package having a first outside        wall with a plurality of first engagement elements attached        thereto, a first interface region, and a first perimeter wall        joining the first outside wall to the first interface region;    -   a second portion of the display package having a second outside        wall with a plurality of second engagement elements attached        thereto, a second interface region, and a second perimeter wall        joining the second outside wall to the second interface region,        the first portion of the display package and the second portion        of the display package fitting together along their first and        second interface regions to form a space between the first        portion and the second portion, wherein the plurality of first        engagement elements of one display package are adapted to engage        with the plurality of engagement elements of another display        package when a plurality of display packages are placed with the        first outside wall of one display package next to the second        outside wall of another display package.

In a further embodiment, there is provided a display package formerchandising an article of commerce comprising:

-   -   a first portion of the display package having a plurality of        uprising portions with first engagement elements on at least        some of the uprising portions, and a first interface region;    -   a second portion of the display package having a plurality of        uprising portions with second engagement elements on at least        some of the uprising portions, and a second interface region,        the first portion of the display package and the second portion        of the display package fitting together along their first and        second interface regions to form a cavity between the first        portion and the second portion, wherein the plurality of first        engagement elements of one display package are adapted to engage        with the plurality of engagement elements of another display        package when a plurality of display packages are placed with the        first portion of one display package next to the second portion        of another display package.

In a yet further embodiment, there is provided a display package formerchandising an article of commerce comprising:

-   -   a first portion of the display package having a plurality of        uprising portions with engagement elements attached thereto, and        a first interface region;    -   a second portion of the display package having an extending        cavity portion, and a second interface region, the first portion        of the display package and the second portion of the display        package fitting together along their first and second interface        regions, wherein the plurality of engagement elements of one        display package are adapted to engage with the cavity portion of        another display package when a plurality of display packages are        placed with the first portion of one display package next to the        second portion of another display package.

The configuration of the display package is such that a plurality ofpackages can be thus engaged in a self-supporting row. To furtheraugment the system, two or more rows of display packages can be placedside by side, next to each other, and comprise a first layer of displaypackages which is then placed on a pallet. Second, third and more layerscan be stacked on top of the first layer, separated by a sheet ofcardboard or the like. When a pallet wrap covering or other material isplaced around the entire assembly, or enclosed by a corrugated shippingshroud including the pallet, the package is ready for shipment. Whenreceived at a commercial or retail outlet, the pallet borne assembly canbe placed directly on the floor of the outlet, a warehouse store, etc.,and the pallet wrap or corrugated shipping shroud is removed from theassembly. The display packages are then immediately available and readyfor display to customers. Removal of the first pack from the top layerand first row leaves the other packages in the row intact so that thepackages can be removed one by one, while the remaining display packagesremain in self supporting nested relationship maintaining the integrityof the display packages and pallet display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more readily understood by referring to theaccompanying drawings, as follows:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary display package according tothe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the exemplary display package ofFIG. 1 showing the front and rear portions.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exterior surface of the rear (second)portion of the exemplary display package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the interior side of the front (first) portionof the exemplary display package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the exemplary display package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary display package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side view of two display packages of FIG. 6 joined together.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a plurality of packages on a pallet readyfor display.

FIG. 9 is an exploded, isometric view of another exemplary embodiment ofa display package according to the present invention showing front andrear portions thereof.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the exemplary display package of FIG. 9showing the front and rear portions joined together.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of two display packages of FIG. 10 joinedtogether.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the displaypackage of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded isometric view of another exemplary embodiment ofa display package according to the present invention showing front andrear portions-thereof.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a bottom portion of the exemplaryembodiment of the display package of FIG. 13 flipped over to show itsuprising portions with slots formed therein.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view showing the first engagement means on anuprising portion of the bottom portion.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view along view lines 16-16 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the uprising portion of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view showing the second engagement means on anuprising portion of the top portion.

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view along view lines 19-19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the uprising portion of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing a display package according to FIG. 13just before being slid into connection with a front portion of anotherdisplay package.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing a display package according to FIG. 13after being slid together with a front portion of another displaypackage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an exemplary display package 10 of the inventionis shown. Display package 10 has a first portion 12 with a first outsidewall 14 with a plurality of first engagement elements 16 and 18 formedthereon, a first interface region 20, and a first perimeter wall 21joining the first outside wall 14 to the first interface region 20. Thefirst portion has a top side 22 and a bottom side 24. The engagementelements can be integrally formed into the packaging or may be attachedto the package by using glue or other fastening means. The firstengagement elements 16 and 18 can be different in shape and size (asshown) or can be identical (not shown.) Also, while only four of eachfirst engagement elements 16 and 18 are shown, a greater or lessernumber can be utilized, and placed at different locations anywhere onfirst outside wall 14. An optional stabilizing foot portion 26 can beformed at bottom side 24, the purpose of which will be discussed below.While a single stabilizing foot portion 26 is shown, two or more footportions could be provided. A rim 28 of material can be formed at leastpartially around first interface region 20 if desired.

Display package 10 has a second portion 30 with a second outside wall 32with a plurality of second engagement elements 34 and 36 formed thereon,a second interface region 38, and a second perimeter wall 40 joiningsecond outside wall 32 to second interface region 38. Second portion 30has a top side 42 and a bottom side 44. Second engagement elements 34and 36 can be different in shape and size (as shown) or can beidentical. Also, while four of each of the second engagement elements 34and 36 are shown, a greater or lesser number can be utilized, and placedat different locations anywhere on second outside wall 32. Engagementelements 34 and 36 are shown as recesses that extend inwardly below thesurface of second outside wall 32. First engagement elements 16 and 18,respectively, are sized and shaped to fit together with secondengagement elements 34 and 36, respectively, as will be describedfurther below. Optional stabilizing feet portions 46 can be formed atbottom side 44, the purpose of which will be discussed below. While twostabilizing foot portions 46 are shown, a single or plurality of footportions can be provided. Stabilizing foot portions 46 can, if desired,be made to extend from the first interface region 38 to beyond thesecond outside wall 32. In such cases, stabilizing feet portions 26 arepreferably sized and shaped not to interfere with stabilizing footportion 46. A rim 48 of material can be formed at least partially aroundsecond interface region 38 if desired. First interface region 20 cancomprise a channel and second interface region 38 can comprise a ridgewhich is sized to fit within channel 20, or vice-versa. Other types ofinterfaces can be used to hold first portion 12 and second portion 30together. Articles (not shown) can be retained and displayed within acavity 50 formed by the connection of first portion and second portion12 and 30, respectively, and can be securely stored therein by pressuresealing, gluing, heat sealing, stapling, RF sealing, UV sealing, etc.first interface region 20 shut with second interface region 36. Theoptional rims 28 and 48 can also be used for this purpose and/or thesealing can take place along the interface regions 20 and 36. AlthoughFIGS. 1-7 show a generally box-shaped cavity 50 formed by the spacecreated by joining first portion 12 and second portion 30, other cavityshapes and sizes could be formed as desired in first outside wall 14and/or second outside wall 32 that might better conform to the articles'shape and size.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary display package 10 and shows thefirst portion 12 and second portion 30 placed together. First engagementelements 16 and 18 are shown extending above first outside wall 14, andsecond engagement elements 34 and 36, are shown extending inwardly ofsecond outside wall 32. As can be seen, first engagement elements 16 and18 are aligned with second engagement elements 34 and 36, respectively,such that when, as is shown in FIG. 7, two display packages 10A and 10Bare placed adjacent to each other, first engagement elements 16 and 18of display package 10A will fit into second engagement elements 34 and36, respectively, of second display package 10B, to hold the two displaypackages 110A and 10B together. First engagement elements 16 and 18 canpreferably have interference fits with second engagement elements 34 and36, respectively, so that a slight pulling force is required to separatedisplay packages joined in this way. This helps prevent tipping over ofindividual display packages in a plurality of display packages in apallet and the like and also helps better display their contents.Optional stabilizing feet portions 26 and 46 further help stabilize thedisplay packages when stood up as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a plurality of display packages 10 on apallet 60 ready for display. This view shows two columns 62A and 62B ofdisplay packages forming layers 64A, 64B and 64C on pallet 60. Thelayers 64A, 64B and 64C can be separated by sheet material 66 (e.g.corrugated cardboard.) Goods shipped on pallets are often wrapped withplastic film or enclosed by a corrugated shroud for shipment. With thepresent invention, the plastic wrapping or shroud (not shown) can beeasily removed, which immediately readies the pallet of display packedarticles to be displayed and sold. Because of the engagement feature andthe optional stabilizing feet feature, the display packages will remainin their upright position without additional supports such as acorrugated tray.

FIGS. 9-11 show another exemplary embodiment of a display package 80according to the present invention, and show a first, front portion 82and a second, rear portion 84 thereof. First, front portion 82 has aplurality of first uprising portions 86 with first engagement elements88 formed thereon. First engagement elements 88 can comprise protrusionshaving a predetermined size and shape. A first cavity portion 90 isformed in first portion 82 and extends above a back wall 92. Firstuprising portions 86 also extend above back wall portion 92. Optionalstabilizing legs 94 can be formed at a bottom side 96 of front portion82, opposite a top side 98. First engagement elements 88 can be formedon top surfaces 100 of first uprising portions 86. First portion 82 hasa first interface region 102, which can be formed around a perimeterfirst portion 82. Second portion 84 has a plurality of second uprisingportions 110 with second engagement elements 112 formed thereon. Secondengagement elements 112 can comprise recesses having a predeterminedsize and shape that is complementary to first engagement elements 88.Second engagement elements 112 can be formed on a top surface 114 ofsecond uprising portions 110. A second cavity portion 116 is formed insecond portion 84 and extends below a back wall 118. Second uprisingportions 110 also extend above back wall portion 118. Optionalstabilizing legs 120 are formed at a bottom side 122 of second, rearportion 84, opposite a top side 124. Second portion 84 has a secondinterface region 126, which can be formed around a perimeter of secondportion 84. First interface region 102 can comprise a channel and secondinterface region 126 can comprise a ridge which is sized to fit withinchannel 102, or vice-versa.

Other types of interfaces can be used to hold first portion 82 andsecond portion 84 together, and it is also possible to eliminateinterfitting interfaces and instead simply rely on correct alignment ofthe first and second portions prior to joining them together. Articles(not shown) can be retained and displayed within the cavity formed bythe connection of first portion 82 and second portion 84 and can besecurely stored therein by pressure sealing, gluing, heat welding,stapling, etc. first interface region 102 with second interface region126 and/or on optional rims 127 and 128 on first and second portions 82and 84, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a side-elevation of two display packages 80A and 80B joinedtogether by placing display packages 80A and 80B with uprising portions86 of display package 80A abutting uprising portions 110 of displaypackage 80B, such that first engagement elements 88 are placed withinsecond engagement elements 112. First engagement elements 88 canpreferably have interference fits with second engagement elements 112,respectively, so that a slight pulling force is required to separatedisplay packages joined in this way. This helps prevent tipping over ofindividual display packages in a plurality of display packages on apallet and the like and also helps better display their contents. Theoptional stabilizing feet 94 and 120 will help stabilize individualdisplay packages and groups of display packages on a supporting surface.As can be seen, spaces 129 are formed between the two display packages80A and 80B. These spaces 129 serve a useful function in that theyprovide a convenient location for a shopper to slide his or her fingersto pull off one or more of the display packages from other displaypackages. Additionally, the spaces 129 can provide a convenient visualindicator to a store checkout clerk and/or shopper in determiningwhether a single unit is being purchased, or a plurality of units arebeing purchased.

Although the first engagement elements and second engagement elementshave been described as protrusions and recesses, respectively, othertypes of engagement elements can be used, and their locations on thefirst and second package portions can be switched.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the displaypackage 130 of the invention, wherein a first portion 132 and a secondportion 134 are joined together by a living hinge 126 in aclamshell-like manner. First engagement elements 138 are formed on firstportion 132 and second engagement elements 140 are formed on secondportion 134. Optional stabilizing feet 142 can be formed on firstportion 132 and optional stabilizing feet 144 are formed on secondportion 134.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodimentof a display package 150 according to the present invention showingfront and rear portions, 152 and 154, respectively and FIG. 14 is aperspective view of rear portion 154 flipped over to show its uprisingportions 162. Display package 150 is similar to the exemplary embodimentof a display package 80 of FIG. 9, except that its first engagementmeans 156 formed on first uprising portions 158 and extending above atop face 164 thereof, are designed to slidingly engage with secondengagement means 160 formed on second uprising portions 162 andextending below a top face 166 thereof. First engagement means 156 cancomprise a protrusion, and second engagement means 160 can comprise aslot, with protrusion 156 being sized and shaped to slideably engagewith slot 160 to be retained therein. Other features of display package150 can be as shown and describe with respect to the exemplaryembodiment of FIGS. 9-11, and bear the same reference numerals.

FIGS. 15-17 are views of second engagement means 160 formed as a slotformed into top face 166 of second uprising portion 162 of bottomportion (not shown). FIG. 15 is a top plan view showing slot 160 formedinto top face 166 of second uprising portion 162 of bottom portion 154.FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view along view lines 16-16 of FIG. 15.FIG. 17 is a front view of FIG. 15. Slot 160 preferably has outwardlyslanting side walls 170 and optionally a backwardly slanting rear wall172, and a bottom wall 174. Slot 160 thus has a shape which is adaptedto capture a complementary protrusion and only allows such a protrusionto enter from its open end 176 and be withdrawn therefrom.

FIGS. 18-20 are views of first engagement means 156 formed as aprotrusion formed to extend above top face 164 of first uprising portion158 of top portion 152. FIG. 18 is a top plan view showing protrusion156 formed to extend above top face 164 of first uprising portion 158 oftop portion 152. As shown in FIG. 19, which is a side view along viewlines 19-19 of FIG. 18, and FIG. 20, which is a front view of same,protrusion 156 can have inwardly slanting side walls 180 and a flat topsurface 182, and an optionally frontwardly slanting rear wall 184.Protrusions 156 thus has a shape which is adapted to be captured in thecomplementary slot 160 formed on first uprising portions 162 in asliding action by sliding slanting front 184 of protrusion into open end176 of slot 160 on second uprising portions 162. Although first andsecond engagement means 156 and 160, respectively, are shown as a slotand protrusions and as having generally rectangular shapes with slantedwalls, which when slid together form a type of “dovetail” joint, othershapes can be used, such as semi-circular, triangular, trapezoidal, etc.slots and protrusions which permit a sliding and locking engagement.Although the top 182 of protrusion 156 can be flat and the bottom 174 ofslot can both be flat, it is possible for these surfaces to be curved ifdesired. Also, other types of sliding engagements can be provided tohold the display packages together, such as tunnels and pins which fittherein (not shown).

FIG. 21 is a side view showing two display packages 150A and 150Baccording to FIG. 13 just prior to their being engaged together bysliding protrusions 156 on uprising portions 158 of front portion 152 ofdisplay package 150A into slots 160 on uprising portion 162 of rearportion 154 of display package 15B.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing the two display packages 150A and 150Bengaged together, with protrusions 156 on uprising portions 158 of frontportion 152 of display package 150A completely slid into slots 160 onuprising portion 162 of rear portion 154 of display package 150B. Inthis orientation, display packages 150A and 150B will remain engagedtogether, and display package 150B can be taken off of another singledisplay package 150A (as shown), or a row of display packages (notshown) by lifting up display package 150B relative to display package150A. Since a plurality of display packages are held together, they tendto stabilize each other in an upright display position. As with theembodiment of the display packages of FIGS. 10 and 11, the optionalstabilizing feet 94 and 120 of the present embodiment will furtherassist in stabilizing individual display packages and groups of displaypackages on a supporting surface. As can be seen, spaces 129 are formedbetween the two display packages 150A and 150B. These spaces 129 serve auseful function in that they provide a convenient location for a user toslide his or her fingers to pull off one or more of the display packagesfrom other display packages. Additionally, the spaces 129 can provide aconvenient visual indicator to a store checkout clerk and shopper whichcan help them determine whether a single unit is being purchased, or aplurality of units are being purchased.

While the first and second engagement means have been described as beingon first and second portions of the display packages, the placement ofthe first and second engagement means can be switched if desired.

Although the invention has been shown and presented herein by means ofcertain embodiments of the display packages and shipping and displaysystems, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedthereto but may be variously embodied within the spirit and scope of theinvention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to identifyvarious modifications which still remain within the ambit of the claimswhich follow.

1. A display package for merchandising an article of commercecomprising: a first portion of the display package having at least onefirst outside wall with at least one first engagement element, and afirst interface region; a second portion of the display package havingat least one second outside wall with at least one second engagementelement, and a second interface region, the first portion of the displaypackage and the second portion of the display package fitting togetheralong their first and second interface regions to form a space betweenthe first portion and the second portion, wherein the at least one firstengagement element of one display package is adapted to engage with theat least one second engagement element of another display package when aplurality of display packages are placed with the first outside wall ofone display package next to the second outside wall of another displaypackage.
 2. The display package of claim 1, wherein the first portionfurther comprises a top side and a bottom side and the second portionfurther comprises a top side and a bottom side, the display packagefurther comprising at least one stabilizing foot portion on a bottomside of at least one of the first and second portions.
 3. The displaypackage of claim 1, wherein the at least one first outside wall isplanar and is joined to the first interface region by a first perimeterwall, and the second at least one outside wall is planar and is joinedto the second interface region by a second perimeter wall.
 4. Thedisplay package of claim 1, wherein the first display package has onefirst outside wall and a plurality of first engagement elements areformed thereon, and the second display package has one second outsidewall and a plurality of second engagement elements formed thereon. 5.The display package of claim 3, further comprising at least onestabilizing foot portion that is formed on the first perimeter wall andat least one stabilizing foot portion that is formed on the secondperimeter wall.
 6. The display package of claim 2, wherein the at leastone stabilizing foot portion extends from the first interface region andbeyond the first outside wall.
 7. The display package of claim 1,wherein the at least one first engagement element comprises one of aprotrusion and recess, and the second engagement element comprises theother of a protrusion and recess, the protrusions and recesses beingcomplementary dimensioned so that the protrusion interference fits intothe recess.
 8. The display package of claim 1, wherein the firstinterface region comprises one of a ridge and a channel and the secondinterface region comprises the other of a ridge and a channel, the ridgebeing dimensioned to fit within the channel.
 9. The display package ofclaim 1, wherein a plurality of display packages can be joined togetherwhen their first and second engagement elements, respectively, fittogether.
 10. The display package of claim 1, wherein the first portionand the second portion are separate pieces.
 11. The display package ofclaim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are hingeablyjoined together.
 12. The display package of claim 1, wherein the firstengagement element is integrally formed with the first portion of thedisplay package and the second engagement element is integrally formedwith the second portion of the display package.
 13. A display packagefor merchandising an article of commerce comprising: a first portion ofthe display package having a first outside wall with a, plurality offirst engagement elements attached thereto, a first interface region,and a first perimeter wall joining the first outside wall to the firstinterface region; a second portion of the display package having asecond outside wall with a plurality of second engagement elementsattached thereto, a second interface region, and a second perimeter walljoining the second outside wall to the second interface region, thefirst portion of the display package and the second portion of thedisplay package fitting together along their first and second interfaceregions to form a space between the first portion and the secondportion, wherein the plurality of first engagement elements of onedisplay package are adapted to engage with the plurality of engagementelements of another display package when a plurality of display packagesare placed with the first outside wall of one display package next tothe second outside wall of another display package.
 14. The displaypackage of claim 13, further comprising at least one stabilizing footportion that is formed on the first perimeter wall and at least onestabilizing foot portion that is formed on the second perimeter wall.15. The display package of claim 13, wherein the at least onestabilizing foot portion extends from the first interface region tobeyond the first outside wall.
 16. The display package of claim 13,wherein the first engagement element is integrally formed with the firstportion of the display package and the second engagement element isintegrally formed with the second portion of the display package. 17.The display package of claim 13, wherein the first interface regioncomprises one of a ridge and a channel and the second interface regioncomprises the other of a ridge and a channel, the ridge beingdimensioned to fit within the channel.
 18. The display package of claim13, wherein the at least one first engagement element comprises one of aprotrusion and recess, and the second engagement element comprises theother of a protrusion and recess, the protrusions and recesses beingcomplementary dimensioned so that the protrusion interference fits intothe recess.
 19. A display package for merchandising an article ofcommerce comprising: a first portion of the display package having aplurality of uprising portions with first engagement elements on atleast some of the uprising portions, and a first interface region; asecond portion of the display package having a plurality of uprisingportions with second engagement elements on at least some of theuprising portions, and a second interface region, the first portion ofthe display package and the second portion of the display packagefitting together along their first and second interface regions to forma cavity between the first portion and the second portion, wherein theplurality of first engagement elements of one display package areadapted to engage with the plurality of engagement elements of anotherdisplay package when a plurality of display packages are placed with thefirst portion of one display package next to the second portion ofanother display package.
 20. The display package of claim 19, whereinthe first engagement element is integrally formed with the first portionof the display package and the second engagement element is integrallyformed with the second portion of the display package.
 21. The displaypackage of claim 19, wherein the first engagement elements comprise oneof a protrusion and recess, and the second engagement elements comprisethe other of a protrusion and recess, the protrusions and recesses beingcomplementary dimensioned so that the protrusions fit into the recesses.22. The display package of claim 19, wherein the first engagementelements comprise protrusions and the second engagement elementscomprise slots, and the protrusions slideably fit into the slots. 23.The display package of claim 19, further comprising at least onestabilizing foot portion that is formed on the bottom side of the firstperimeter wall and at least one stabilizing foot portion that is formedon the bottom side of the second perimeter wall.
 24. The display packageof claim 19, wherein the first portion of the display package furthercomprises a first perimeter wall that joins the plurality of firstuprising portions, and wherein the second portion of the display packagefurther comprises a second perimeter wall that joins the plurality ofsecond uprising portions.